On June 21, Sunday, Tilak Varma was in Dambulla, leading India A to a tri-series title win against Sri Lanka A. On Monday, he donned the hat of Medak Falcons and produced a sensational unbeaten century to orchestrate a remarkable chase. His team hunted down a towering 259-run target against Warangal Warriors in Match 3 of the Hyderabad Cricket Association’s Sreenidhi University TG20 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium on Monday.
In a contest dominated by fearless strokeplay, Warangal Warriors posted an imposing 258/7 thanks largely to a breathtaking innings from captain Aman Rao Perala. The opener smashed 142 off just 48 deliveries, including 12 fours and 13 sixes, after reaching the tournament’s first century in only 32 balls.
Despite the daunting task ahead, the Falcons never backed down. Tilak anchored the chase with an extraordinary 136 not out from 56 balls, striking 14 boundaries and eight sixes. His innings, combined with a crucial late assault from Vikram Naik, who made 27 off 12 balls, carried the Falcons to a dramatic three-wicket victory with two deliveries remaining.
Warangal’s innings got off to a blistering start as Aman and fellow opener Harshit Choudhary tore into the bowling attack from the outset. The pair raced to 101 without loss during the powerplay, setting a new benchmark for the highest power play total in the competition.
The opening stand continued to flourish, with the duo adding 133 runs before N Surya Teja finally broke through by removing Harshit for a quickfire 35 off 23 balls. By that stage, however, the Warriors had already laid the groundwork for a massive score.
Aman remained relentless after the dismissal of his partner, dispatching the bowlers to all parts of the ground. His landmark century came at lightning speed, arriving off just 32 deliveries, and further underlined his dominance throughout the innings.
The Rajasthan Royals recruit ensured the scoring rate never dipped as Warangal reached 146/1 at the halfway stage. The team crossed the 200-run mark in the 14th over before Rahul Kunta delivered a much-needed breakthrough by ending Aman’s spectacular knock. Although the Falcons managed to pull things back slightly in the closing overs, with Tilak Varma and Madhukar Manne claiming wickets, Murugan Abhishek’s brisk 32 from 15 balls helped push the total to a formidable 258/7.
The chase began at a frantic pace. While Anirudh Srivatsa conceded 17 runs in the opening over, he also struck early by dismissing Naman Agarwal for 12 off four balls.
Tilak quickly took control of the innings, ensuring the required rate remained within reach. The Falcons surged past fifty inside four overs and reached 85/2 by the end of the powerplay despite losing Shrunjith Reddy, who was run out after a rapid 25 from 12 deliveries.
The India T20I vice-captain continued to dictate terms, bringing up his half-century in only 22 balls as the Falcons crossed the 100-run mark inside eight overs. Although wickets fell at regular intervals, including Ravi Teja’s dismissal to Shaunak Kulkarni, the chase remained alive thanks to Tilak’s aggression.
The momentum briefly swung in Warangal’s favour when the Falcons slipped to 190/6 in the 15th over after losing three wickets in quick succession. Needing 65 runs from the final five overs, the task appeared increasingly difficult.
Tilak, however, had other plans. He reached a superb century off just 42 balls and found valuable support from Vikram Naik. Together, the pair added 58 crucial runs, keeping the scoreboard ticking and the pressure firmly on the Warriors.
Although Vikram departed for a lively 27 in the penultimate over, his contribution proved decisive. With the equation still demanding and wickets running out, Tilak remained composed. He expertly paced the final stages of the chase, finding boundaries at key moments and steering his side home in a thrilling finish.
His unbeaten 136 capped one of the finest innings of the tournament so far, helping Medak Falcons complete a stunning chase and secure victory by three wickets with two balls left.
– Ends
